Groene Leeuw!
10-01-07, 01:23 PM
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Groene Leeuw!
Just won this on Ebay, never thought I'd see one 'in the flesh' (they really are as rare as green lions, I can tell you). Picking it up over the w.e., now I'll just have to get the matching jersey!
10-01-07, 01:28 PM
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Si se Puede!!!....Ahuevo!
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Wow!! That is one sweet looking bike. Congrats.
If you have any more pics of it, please post them.
If you have any more pics of it, please post them.
10-01-07, 01:34 PM
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10-01-07, 02:09 PM
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Excellent find. Not a marque one sees everyday.
of course we want details on the bike, gruppo, age etc.
I think I've seen exactly one on Markplaats.
Now have Dale update the Benelux pages with photos of your bike!
marty
of course we want details on the bike, gruppo, age etc.
I think I've seen exactly one on Markplaats.
Now have Dale update the Benelux pages with photos of your bike!
marty
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10-01-07, 03:17 PM
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Beautiful bicycle. All you need is a green Brooks swallow. 
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10-02-07, 04:40 AM
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"now I'll just have to get the matching jersey!"
Check this out.(you probably already seen this)
ttp://www.derondeshop.be/Wiels-Groene-Leeuw-merino-p-1051.html
Check this out.(you probably already seen this)
ttp://www.derondeshop.be/Wiels-Groene-Leeuw-merino-p-1051.html
10-03-07, 09:08 AM
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VERY little info on the web regarding these bikes, though the professional team that raced them were
very popular and successful from the 1940's up to 1978 when the brand disappeared. The frames were allegedly contract-built by a small independent maker (though no-one seems to know who) and also sold to some bikeshops who built them up themselves. I added some nice period pics :
very popular and successful from the 1940's up to 1978 when the brand disappeared. The frames were allegedly contract-built by a small independent maker (though no-one seems to know who) and also sold to some bikeshops who built them up themselves. I added some nice period pics :
10-03-07, 09:20 AM
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Do you mind telling us how much you paid? I have heard of people getting some very esoteric bikes on e-bay for very reasonable prices.
10-03-07, 11:07 AM
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Joe,
From the CR archives:
So there you have it, built by A. De Kimpe.
Here's a link to another nice Groene Leeuw
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Rita/Groene_Leeuw/
Marty
From the CR archives:
Originally Posted by JVV
In response to a (not so) recent thread on Belgian bicycle builders, I
sent an inquiry to a Belgian vintage bike club. From them I received a
list of all the Belgian builders/constructeurs active from 1895 to 1965.
Holy cow! The list runs 25 pages long and lists over 2,400 makes. The list
includes the name brand, the name of the "constructeur" or
"kopmerk"(meaning wholesaler or distributor) with a designation for one or
the other, and the town or city of origin. For example, I learn that the
marque "Groene Leeuw" is a constructeur built bike, built by A. De Kimpe
from the town of Kruishoutem.
sent an inquiry to a Belgian vintage bike club. From them I received a
list of all the Belgian builders/constructeurs active from 1895 to 1965.
Holy cow! The list runs 25 pages long and lists over 2,400 makes. The list
includes the name brand, the name of the "constructeur" or
"kopmerk"(meaning wholesaler or distributor) with a designation for one or
the other, and the town or city of origin. For example, I learn that the
marque "Groene Leeuw" is a constructeur built bike, built by A. De Kimpe
from the town of Kruishoutem.
Here's a link to another nice Groene Leeuw
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Rita/Groene_Leeuw/
Marty
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10-03-07, 11:22 AM
#12
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Marty, in fact the legendary Albert De Kimpe was the team-owner (and manager) who had the frames built by a small independent maker (from Gistel according to one source). The Groene Leeuw 'workshop' in Deinze (Antwerp) was a very small key affair with just a couple of workers who alledgedly did little more than 'slap on a few decals' as one source put it. They did NOT build any frames - that much is certain. Not much else is though...
Thanks or the link btw!
PS won it on Ebay for 76.50 euros (or is it bad luck to talk about that before you pick it up?)
De Kimpe 3rd from left in the picture (the one with the impressive spectacles) :
Thanks or the link btw!
PS won it on Ebay for 76.50 euros (or is it bad luck to talk about that before you pick it up?)
De Kimpe 3rd from left in the picture (the one with the impressive spectacles) :
Last edited by joe v; 10-03-07 at 11:44 AM.
10-03-07, 12:13 PM
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Joe V,
thanks for the clarification. Always good to learn something new.
So, who else did Gistel build for (if I'm correct in thinking they were
a contract builder like Bilato)?
good price and no it's not bad luck!
marty
thanks for the clarification. Always good to learn something new.
So, who else did Gistel build for (if I'm correct in thinking they were
a contract builder like Bilato)?
good price and no it's not bad luck!
marty
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10-03-07, 12:16 PM
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Groene = 'oe' sounding like the 'o' in 'do' / 'e' like 'a' in 'a word'
Leeuw = 'eeu' like the 'a' in 'sale'. The problem of course being the 'soft' G which is not known
in the English language - think of an Italian pronouncing the 'h' in 'have' and you'll get very close though
(I'm thinking Roberto Benigni here)!
Leeuw = 'eeu' like the 'a' in 'sale'. The problem of course being the 'soft' G which is not known
in the English language - think of an Italian pronouncing the 'h' in 'have' and you'll get very close though
(I'm thinking Roberto Benigni here)!
10-03-07, 12:26 PM
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Marty, at the risk of sounding pedantic here (God forbid!), that's the village Gistel
I was referring to - haven't been able to nail down the builder's name. That said, it's very hard to get any definite info if the few sources there are remain vague and contradicting. The words 'dazed' and 'confused' spring to mind! Apart from the GL headtube-badge (or 'kopmerk' - yes, that is the real meaning) there is an 'Aldeka' decal on their seattubes which some
see as Albert De Kimpe Antwerp, contradicting the Gistel connection in a way - or does it?
A book is announced for 2008, although it will concentrate on the team rather than the bikes; maybe it will clear up some points at least.
I was referring to - haven't been able to nail down the builder's name. That said, it's very hard to get any definite info if the few sources there are remain vague and contradicting. The words 'dazed' and 'confused' spring to mind! Apart from the GL headtube-badge (or 'kopmerk' - yes, that is the real meaning) there is an 'Aldeka' decal on their seattubes which some
see as Albert De Kimpe Antwerp, contradicting the Gistel connection in a way - or does it?
A book is announced for 2008, although it will concentrate on the team rather than the bikes; maybe it will clear up some points at least.
Last edited by joe v; 10-03-07 at 12:49 PM.
